Whether you're going right into a job, still job hunting, or repeating module 4 - you should work to identify goals for how you want to continue growing technically as a developer.
This could be something like 'learn GoLang', 'contribute to open source', 'improve my JavaScript abilities', 'build a weird thing'
At the end of module 3, you became a 'real developer' - so when you think about how to achieve these goals you should be thinking of them like a developer would. For example, if you walk in to an interview and say you know Go, that means you've built something in Go, not that you've taken a codeschool AND codacademy course in Go and followed along with a TODO app tutorial.
Focus on real ways you can demonstrate your learning and motivate yourself to keep at it.
- Get a job in the Pacific NW
- Speak at a conference
- Contribute to Blog multiple times a week
Goal #1: Get a job in the Pacific NW
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State where you are currently at with this goal
- I have applied to only jobs that I feel as if I am qualified for.
- I have submitted completed applications (i.e. cover letter, statement of interest, catered resume) for eery job.
- I have reached out tomultiple mentors with contacts.
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Define what success looks like after 1 year
- I am hoping to find a job that combines my love for social change and/or the outdoors in a like minded company.
- Hopefully, I will also have been promoted, not necessarily monetarily, but with more responsibility.
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Outline resources for learning
- List books, blogs, talks, podcasts and courses that would be useful in learning more
- I read "The Passionate Programmer" right before starting Turing, and I just reread it. Great for graduates!
- List mentors you know or places you could find mentors who could help you along the way
- Jess has already reached out to multiple people in the Pacific NW as well as Mike. I am going to continue with what they throw me on top of my own research.
- List ideas or links to things you could or are currently building to achieve this goal. (check out the side-hustle assignment)
- I have been eyeing multiple ember positions, so I am going to continue to build onto my Jillica's Notes project.
- List ideas for lightning talks or conference talks that you could give on this topic. (check out the community involvement assignment)
- I already did a lightning talk on the value of cover letters :). I am always looking to attend meet ups about thejob hunt as well.
- List open source projects that relate to this goal (check out the open source assignment)
- Honestly, any open source contribution is something I can talk about with future employers!
- List books, blogs, talks, podcasts and courses that would be useful in learning more
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Why is this goal important to you?
- As proud as I am that I am finishing and graduating from Turing, I will eventually need a job. However, with that in mind, I also want a job that I prosper in and a place I believe in. I Left Turing to escape a bad workplace and would hate to get through all of this and end up with a bunch of stinkers.
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Goal #2: Speak at a Conference
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State where you are currently at with this goal - I have improved my public speaking through lightning talks. - I have started writing more frequently to my blog. - I have watched multiple conferences online
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Define what success looks like after 1 year - I am hoping to find a conference talk at my level and be a LEGIT speaker that people actually care about.
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Outline resources for learning - List books, blogs, talks, podcasts and courses that would be useful in learning more
- I have been watching multiple talks that Steve has finished.
- I have found a couple of dev podcasts that have provided different opinions. - List mentors you know or places you could find mentors who could help you along the way
- Steve and Jess are both big in the conference arena and have already been very helpful. - List ideas or links to things you could or are currently building to achieve this goal. (check out the side-hustle assignment)
- I have been eyeing multiple ember talks, so I am going to continue to build onto my Jillica's Notes project and research new things to add to it. - List ideas for lightning talks or conference talks that you could give on this topic. (check out the community involvement assignment)
- I would love to do a lightning talk on Ember for beginners. It is something I am very interested in and actually like researching. - List open source projects that relate to this goal (check out the open source assignment)
- Honestly, any open source contribution is something I can talk about!
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Why is this goal important to you?
- I LOVE public speaking and I remember in Mod 1 I was so upset because I felt like I couldn't help anyone. That is no longer a problem!
Goal #3: Contribute to a BLOG multiple times a week
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State where you are currently at with this goal
- I have upped my blogging in the last module.
- I have used other forms of social media to get my blog out there.
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Define what success looks like after 1 year
- Honestly, if I have one stranger who hasfound my blog helpful, that in itself would be an accomplishment for me.
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Outline resources for learning
- List books, blogs, talks, podcasts and courses that would be useful in learning more
- I have been actively searching for how more advanced devs utilize their own blogs.
- I have been checking out multimedia pieces (i.e. podcasts) to try to shape mine.
- List mentors you know or places you could find mentors who could help you along the way
- I want to reach out to Emily more as her blog is INSANEO.
- I also want to use my twitter in tandem with my blog to up my visibility.
- List ideas or links to things you could or are currently building to achieve this goal. (check out the side-hustle assignment)
- I have been trying to write articles about very specific piece of code (i.e. components in ember) to narrow down topics a little better.
- List ideas for lightning talks or conference talks that you could give on this topic. (check out the community involvement assignment)
- I would love to do a talk of some sort for beginners starting out with tech writing. It is something I am in the process of doing anyway! :)
- List open source projects that relate to this goal (check out the open source assignment)
- Contributing to my blog should take care of this.
- List books, blogs, talks, podcasts and courses that would be useful in learning more
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Why is this goal important to you?
- I wanted to be a writer before I came to Turing, so being able to put together my two passions is beyond important to me.